Patent Details Apple's Ideas for Universal TV Remote

As rumors swirl that Apple is working on an HD television, a new patent application hints that the Cupertino tech giant is also working on a universal TV remote that could include some nifty new features.

As rumors swirl that Apple is working on an HD television, a new patent application hints that the Cupertino tech giant is also working on a universal TV remote that could include some nifty new features.

The patent application, discovered by the site Patently Apple, details Cupertino's ideas for a so-called "advanced TV remote" that could possibly be used to control a forthcoming Apple HTDV, as well as televisions already in the market. The patent describes a remote that could be used to automatically find the code needed to control your TV — eliminating the often frustrating task of trying to manually figure out the correct code. Moreover, Apple's remote would actually be an iPhone.

"One of Apple's wild new universal remote features works like this: you take a photo of your current TV remote and it sends it to iCloud for analysis," according to Patently Apple. "It then sends a ‘virtual copy' of your remote, functionality and all, to your iPhone. You're now able to control your current TV with Apple's advanced universal remote and enjoy all of Apple's TV remote features and likely tie-in products and services."

The patent application was originally filed in the third quarter of 2010, but was just made public by the United States Patent & Trademark Office on Thursday. It also hints that Apple's universal remote could be used to control other systems such as lighting and door locks.

Apple already offers a "Remote" iOS App that enables users to control iTunes and Apple TV with their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Apple is apparently preparing to update this app, and could integrate it into the iPhone and other iOS devices in the future, instead of requiring users to download it from the App Store, according to Patently Apple. This could be a sign that Apple is prepping a standalone HDTV, something that has been rumored for some time.

About the Author

Angela has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a reporter for SC Magazine, covering everything related to hackers and computer security. Angela has also written for The Northern Valley Suburbanite in New Jersey, The Dominion Post in West Virginia, and the Uniontown-Herald Standard in Pennsylvania. She ... See Full Bio

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